MLB Power Rankings: An Updated Look at Where All 30 Teams Stand

MLB Power Rankings: An Updated Look at Where All 30 Teams Stand

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It was an exciting week around MLB, with a blockbuster trade between the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics on Friday and All-Star rosters announced on Sunday.

Over the past few weeks, it seems the contenders have started to separate themselves from the pack a bit, as the line between buyer and seller from now to the trade deadline has become a bit clearer for a number of clubs.

The moves that are made over the next couple of weeks will go a long way in determining who is playing in October, and they will certainly have an impact on these rankings.

When putting together the rankings on a weekly basis, the following factors are considered:

Previous week's record

Quality of opponents

Key injuries/trades

Recent performance beyond the last week

There is still a lot to be sorted out between now and October, and all of the close races should make for a busy trade season and exciting stretch run.

All of that said, here is an updated look at where all 30 MLB teams currently stand. Be sure to check back here every Monday morning for the most recent edition of our MLB power rankings.

30. Houston Astros (36-54, Previous: 25)

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USA TODAY Sports

Last Week's Results: 0-7

After posting a promising 15-14 record in May and a decent 12-15 mark in June, the Houston Astros are off to a rough start here in July. They did not exactly have the easiest draw last week, facing a pair of tough division foes in the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels, who swept them in both series.

They received some much-needed bullpen help last week, with Anthony Bass and Josh Fields both coming off the disabled list. The Astros currently have the worst bullpen ERA in baseball at 5.22, and they have converted 15 of 30 save chances.

Second baseman Jose Altuve (.337/.377/.436, 122 H, 38 SB) earned the team's lone All-Star nod, and a strong case can be made for him deserving the start over Robinson Cano. Starter Dallas Keuchel (8-5, 3.06 ERA) still has a chance to make it on the Final Vote as well.

Silver Slugger of the Week

LF Enrique Hernandez (6-for-17, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Scott Feldman (1 GS, ND, 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)

29. Colorado Rockies (37-52, Previous: 27)

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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Last Week's Results: 1-6

A disastrous month of June that saw them go just 8-20 ended any hopes the Colorado Rockies had of being contenders in 2014. It was their pitching that let them down once again. They had another tough stretch last week, getting swept by the Washington Nationals and dropping three of four to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

They did welcome back third baseman Nolan Arenado last week after he missed 37 games with a fractured finger. Jair Jurrjens also made his Rockies debut after being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds, though he lasted just 4.2 innings and allowed 12 hits and eight runs.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (.350/.442/.605, 18 HR, 47 RBI) earned his third career All-Star start by running away with the fan vote, while outfielders Charlie Blackmon (.291/.339/.457, 12 HR, 47 RBI) joins him on the NL roster as a reserve. First baseman Justin Morneau (.316/.348/.518, 13 HR, 59 RBI) could join them, as he is part of the Final Vote ballot.

Silver Slugger of the Week

1B Justin Morneau (11-for-26, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Jorge De La Rosa (1 GS, W, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)

28. Arizona Diamondbacks (37-53, Previous: 29)

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Last Week's Results: 2-4

The Arizona Diamondbacks faced a pair of tough teams on the road last week, dropping two of three to both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves. They take on the Miami Marlins at home to kick off this coming week before heading back out to face the Giants in San Francisco.

The team pulled off a pair of trades last week, sending starter Brandon McCarthy to the New York Yankees and reliever Joe Thatcher to the Los Angeles Angels. It will be interesting to see who else the D-Backs shop, as infielders Aaron Hill and Martin Prado would both be solid chips.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt (.310/.398/.554, 16 HR, 58 RBI) is their only All-Star, edging out Freddie Freeman to earn the start at first base on the NL side.

Silver Slugger of the Week

1B Paul Goldschmidt (11-for-22, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Wade Miley (2 GS, W, ND, 14.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 18 K)

27. Texas Rangers (38-50, Previous: 22)

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Last Week's Results: 1-6

After getting swept during a four-game series with the Orioles in Baltimore, the Texas Rangers dropped another series over the weekend, losing two of three to the New York Mets. They are currently riding a rough 4-16 stretch that has them just three games out of last place in the AL West.

The injuries have simply been too much for the Rangers to overcome and likely would have been for any team bit as hard by the injury bug as they have been. They will still be in position to contend next year, so it will be interesting to see what they do at the deadline.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre (.333/.380/.518, 11 HR, 46 RBI) earned a spot on the All-Star team after being snubbed last year, and he'll be joined by ace Yu Darvish (8-4, 2.63 ERA), who is making his third straight trip to the Midsummer Classic.

Silver Slugger of the Week

3B Adrian Beltre (9-for-26, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Colby Lewis (1 GS, W, 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)

26. New York Mets (39-49, Previous: 28)

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Last Week's Results: 2-4

The Braves swept the Mets in Atlanta to kick off last week, but the Mets rebounded to take two of three from a struggling Rangers team at home over the weekend. They are now just 3-8 in their last 11 games, though, and kick off next week by facing the Braves again.

The big news this past week was ace Jon Niese landing on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. He has dealt with shoulder issues in the past, as Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily Newspoints out, so this is certainly a significant concern.

Daniel Murphy (.294/.344/.414, 106 H) will be one of several first-time All-Stars making his way to Minnesota, and he will be the lone Mets representative.

Silver Slugger of the Week

RF Curtis Granderson (7-for-22, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Zack Wheeler (2 GS, W, ND, 12.2 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 7 BB, 8 K)

25. Minnesota Twins (39-48, Previous: 26)

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Last Week's Results: 2-5

The Minnesota Twins have gone just 3-10 in their last 13 games, dropping into last place in the AL Central in the process. They managed just one win each against the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees last week and have now dropped four straight series.

First baseman Joe Mauer landed on the DL early last week with a strained oblique, but the big news was the return of top prospect Byron Buxton to action after he missed two months with a wrist injury.

24. Philadelphia Phillies (37-51, Previous: 21)

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Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Last Week's Results: 1-5

After showing some signs of life with a 9-2 stretch in early June, the Philadelphia Phillies have now gone 3-13 in their last 16 games. They dropped a series to the Marlins in Miami last week before being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend.

Expect that rough stretch to solidify their standing as sellers at the deadline, though just how aggressive they will be remains to be seen. Outfielder Marlon Byrd and closer Jonathan Papelbon are two veteran pieces that could be of interest to contenders.

As for the All-Star Game, second baseman Chase Utley (.286/.344/.432, 6 HR, 40 RBI) was voted to start for the sixth time in as many All-Star appearances in his career.

Silver Slugger of the Week

RF Marlon Byrd (6-for-24, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Kyle Kendrick (1 GS, ND, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)

23. Boston Red Sox (39-49, Previous: 18)

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Last Week's Results: 1-5

A sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs was how the Boston Red Sox started last week, and they wrapped it up by dropping two of three games to the Baltimore Orioles, both series losses coming at home.

Rookie Brock Holt deserves some credit for what he's done this season, hitting .317 to lead all rookies and shoring up what was a gaping hole in the leadoff spot. The 26-year-old was essentially a throw-in piece in last year's Joel Hanrahan for Mark Melancon deal, and he's been good for 1.9 WAR here in the first half.

The team will have just one All-Star in Minnesota, despite manager John Farrell being at the helm of the AL squad. That will be ace Jon Lester (9-7, 2.73 ERA), who will be making his third career All-Star appearance.

Silver Slugger of the Week

DH David Ortiz (7-for-17, 4 2B, 3 RBI, 1 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Jon Lester (1 GS, ND, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)

22. Chicago Cubs (38-48, Previous: 24)

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Last Week's Results: 4-2

The Cubs began an 11-game road trip last week by sweeping the Boston Red Sox before dropping two of three to the Washington Nationals. They wrap things up with a rare five-game series against the Cincinnati Reds before heading home to take on the Braves.

The big news last week was obviously the blockbuster trade with Oakland, as the Cubs shipped Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel out in a deal for one of the game's top prospects in Addison Russell, as well as starter Dan Straily and outfield prospect Billy McKinney.

Samardzija (3-7, 2.74 ERA) earned a spot on the NL All-Star roster, though he obviously won't suit up for the NL side now that he's pitching for the A's. Shortstop Starlin Castro (.287/.332/.465, 11 HR, 51 RBI) also earned a nod, while first baseman Anthony Rizzo (.276/.384/.487, 17 HR, 45 RBI) is on the Final Vote ballot.

Silver Slugger of the Week

RF Justin Ruggiano (11-for-22, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Jake Arrieta (2 GS, W, ND, 13.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 15 K)

21. San Diego Padres (39-49, Previous: 30)

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Last Week's Results: 4-2

With so many teams near the bottom having rough weeks, the San Diego Padres climb out of the No. 30 position all the way up to No. 21 thanks to a winning week. They swept the Cincinnati Reds at home before losing two of three to the San Francisco Giants.

The team decided to lock up surprisingly productive outfielder Seth Smith last week, signing the free-agent-to-be to a two-year, $13 million extension. This was a particularly interesting time for the move, as the team is currently without a general manager.

Right-hander Tyson Ross (7-8, 2.93 ERA) was one of the bigger surprises among NL All-Star selections. He's certainly having a solid season, but closer Huston Street (23 of 24 SV, 1.13 ERA) looked like a shoo-in to make the squad, and he ranks as one of the bigger snubs.

Silver Slugger of the Week

C Yasmani Grandal (5-for-17, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Tyson Ross (1 GS, W, 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)

20. Chicago White Sox (42-47, Previous: 19)

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Last Week's Results: 3-3

The Chicago White Sox faced the same tough task the Houston Astros did last week, as they faced the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners. While the Astros wound up 0-7, the White Sox managed to walk away with a split, losing their series to the Angels but besting the Mariners over the weekend.

No All-Star snub was bigger than ace Chris Sale, and while he did miss roughly a month early in the season with a forearm strain, he's gone 8-1 with a 2.16 ERA and AL-best 0.87 WHIP in 13 starts.

Sale will still have a chance to make his way onto the AL roster as part of the Final Vote ballot. He would join teammates Jose Abreu (.276/.325/.616, 27 HR, 69 RBI) and Alexei Ramirez (.286/.320/.408, 8 HR, 41 RBI) in Minnesota if he can win the vote.

Silver Slugger of the Week

RF Dayan Viciedo (7-for-22, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Chris Sale (1 GS, W, 9 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 12 K)

19. Miami Marlins (43-45, Previous: 20)

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Last Week's Results: 4-2

They may have fallen out of contention in the NL East, but the Marlins still have plenty to play for in 2014. After losing 100 games last year, they have a very real shot at a winning record this season, and that would mark an impressive one-year turnaround for the rebuilding franchise.

Series wins against the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals last week pulled them back to within two games of .500, and they will look to get back over the hump on the road against the Diamondbacks and Mets this coming week.

Giancarlo Stanton (.308/.406/.566, 21 HR, 62 RBI) is the team's only All-Star, and he will be in the starting lineup as the DH for the NL side. He could be joined by third baseman Casey McGehee (.320 BA, 20 2B, 53 RBI) if he can win the Final Vote.

Silver Slugger of the Week

3B Casey McGehee (11-for-24, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 5 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Henderson Alvarez (2 GS, W, ND, 14 IP, 12 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K)

18. New York Yankees (44-43, Previous: 16)

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Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Last Week's Results: 3-4

After being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays at home, the Yankees rebounded to take three of four games from the Twins in Minnesota. They remain just 3.5 games back in the AL East race and will get to face the first-place Baltimore Orioles this coming week.

Looking to upgrade the rotation, the team acquired Brandon McCarthy from the Diamondbacks last week for Vidal Nuno. The 31-year-old was just 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 18 starts, but his 3.79 FIP suggests he has pitched better than his numbers indicate.

There will be three Yankees on the AL side at the All-Star Game, led by Derek Jeter (.273/.323/.328), who fans voted to start what will be his final Midsummer Classic. He will be joined by starter Masahiro Tanaka (12-3, 2.27 ERA) and setup man Dellin Betances (37 G, 1.61 ERA, 14.0 K/9).

Silver Slugger of the Week

2B Brian Roberts (10-for-27, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP David Phelps (2 GS, 2 ND, 12.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 7 K)

17. Tampa Bay Rays (41-50, Previous: 23)

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Last Week's Results: 6-1

The Rays have looked like the team everyone expected them to be of late, riding a 13-5 hot streak that has pulled them from 15 games back in the AL East to just 8.5 games back. They swept the Yankees in New York to start last week and then took three of four from the Tigers in Detroit.

If they can string together another strong week and pull within six games or so of the AL East lead, one has to wonder if that would change things as far as moving ace David Price is concerned.

Price (8-7, 3.48 ERA, 159 K) will be the team's only All-Star, though a strong case can be made for setup man Jake McGee (42 G, 1.16 ERA, 10.5 K/9) being the most deserving candidate on the roster.

Silver Slugger of the Week

CF Desmond Jennings (12-for-30, 5 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP David Price (2 GS, 2 W, 15.2 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 15 K)

16. Kansas City Royals (45-42, Previous: 14)

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Last Week's Results: 3-3

The Kansas City Royals remain on the outside looking in for a playoff spot, but they are well within striking distance at just four games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. They won a series against the Minnesota Twins last week but dropped two of three to the Cleveland Indians over the weekend.

The Royals added veteran left-hander Scott Downs to the bullpen mix last week after his release by the Chicago White Sox, according to Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star. The 38-year-old had a horrible 6.08 ERA but was one of the more reliable southpaw relief arms in baseball over the past several seasons.

The trio of Alex Gordon (.263/.346/.422, 9 HR, 42 RBI), Salvador Perez (.285/.332/.443, 10 HR, 29 RBI) and Greg Holland (23-of-24 SV, 1.93 ERA, 13.8 K/9) will once again represent the team at the All-Star Game after the three made it last season as well. Perez will get the start behind the plate in place of the injured Matt Wieters, who still managed to win the vote.

Silver Slugger of the Week

3B Mike Moustakas (7-for-17, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Yordano Ventura (1 GS, W, 8.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)

15. Cleveland Indians (43-44, Previous: 17)

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Jason Miller/Getty Images

Last Week's Results: 4-2

It was a good week for the Indians, who won series against the Dodgers and Royals and are now just a game under .500 and six games back in the AL Central standings.

Cleveland placed center fielder Michael Bourn on the DL Sunday with a strained hamstring, according to Zack Meisel of ThePlain Dealer. It's certainly not the first time Bourn has had to deal with a left hamstring injury; he had offseason surgery and also had a stint on the DL earlier this season.

Outfielder Michael Brantley (.321/.385/.511, 13 HR, 57 RBI) will be a very deserving first-time All-Star. He could be joined by Corey Kluber (8-6, 2.86 ERA, 137 K), who is part of the Final Vote ballot.

Silver Slugger of the Week

LF Michael Brantley (9-for-25, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Corey Kluber (2 GS, W, L, 15 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 15 K)

14. Toronto Blue Jays (47-43, Previous: 12)

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Last Week's Results: 2-4

The Toronto Blue Jays followed up a fantastic 21-9 month of May by going just 12-15 in June, and after leading the AL East by as many as six games, they now trail the Orioles by two.

Looking to bolster its bench and now to help offset the loss of Edwin Encarnacion, who is likely headed to the DL with a strained quad, the team claimed outfielders Cole Gillespie (SEA) and Nolan Reimold (BAL) off waivers last week.

Jose Bautista (.296/.419/.522, 17 HR, 51 RBI) will make his fourth straight All-Star Game start and fifth appearance overall after leading the AL in votes. He'll be joined by Encarnacion (.277/.368/.591, 26 HR, 70 RBI) and left-hander Mark Buehrle (10-6, 2.60 ERA) on the American League roster.

Silver Slugger of the Week

1B Edwin Encarnacion (4-for-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Marcus Stroman (1 GS, ND, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)

13. Cincinnati Reds (45-42, Previous: 10)

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Al Behrman/Associated Press

Last Week's Results: 2-4

The Reds were as hot as any team in baseball heading into last week, riding an 8-1 stretch, but they ran into some trouble when the lowly Padres swept them. They rebounded nicely to take two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers, though, and are just six games back in the NL Central.

The Reds are generally one of the quieter teams around the league at the deadline, and that will likely be the case once again this season. It's simply a matter of players staying healthy and performing to their potential for this team to have a shot at returning to the postseason.

12. San Francisco Giants (49-39, Previous: 13)

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Last Week's Results: 3-3

Once the clear-cut top team in the National League with a 9.5-game lead in the NL West, the San Francisco Giants have gone just 7-18 over their last 25 games and officially lost their division lead to the Dodgers on Thursday.

They kick off this coming week with a big road/home four-game series with the Oakland Athletics, and a strong showing against the league's top team could be just the spark the Giants need to get things back on track here in the second half of the schedule.

Madison Bumgarner (9-6, 3.09 ERA) and Hunter Pence (.301/.360/.472, 11 HR, 31 RBI) are the two Giants players named to the NL All-Star roster. The team had at least four representatives each of the past three seasons prior to this year.

Silver Slugger of the Week

RF Hunter Pence (10-for-24, 3 2B, 1 RBI, 6 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Tim Lincecum (2 GS, 2 W, 14.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 12 K)

11. St. Louis Cardinals (47-42, Previous: 7)

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Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Last Week's Results: 3-3

Another subpar performance last week finally drops the Cardinals out of the top 10. They won a series against the Giants in San Francisco but dropped one to the Marlins at home over the weekend.

Expect the Cardinals to kick the tires on a number of pitching options at the deadline, with word coming Sunday that Jaime Garcia will need another shoulder surgery and will be done for the year, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Cardinals did manage to land four guys on the NL All-Star team, with ace Adam Wainwright (11-4, 1.89 ERA) a prime candidate to start the game on the mound. He is joined by catcher Yadier Molina (.292/.347/.414, 7 HR, 30 RBI), third baseman Matt Carpenter (.282/.375/.388, 4 HR, 32 RBI) and setup man Pat Neshek (40 G, 0.77 ERA, 9.0 K/9).

Silver Slugger of the Week

SS Jhonny Peralta (5-for-21, 1 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Adam Wainwright (1 GS, W, 7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K)

10. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-41, Previous: 11)

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Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Last Week's Results: 5-1

The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up a solid 17-10 month of June and have jumped out to a nice 5-1 start here in July. They have slowly climbed these rankings after sitting as low as No. 28 at one point in time.

They take on a pair of division foes on the road this coming week in the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, but it's the Milwaukee Brewers they have their eyes on, as they now trail them by just 4.5 games for the division lead.

Fans voted center fielder Andrew McCutchen (.324/.424/.547, 13 HR, 54 RBI) to start the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. Joining him on the NL roster are setup man Tony Watson (41 G, 0.89 ERA, 10.8 K/9) and the biggest surprise pick of all in utility man Josh Harrison (.298/.335/.453, 5 HR, 25 RBI).

Silver Slugger of the Week

CF Andrew McCutchen (11-for-24, 2 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Gerrit Cole (1 GS, W, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)

9. Seattle Mariners (48-40, Previous: 8)

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Last Week's Results: 4-2

Though they sit in third place in their division, the Mariners have quietly been playing fantastic baseball of late, going 14-6 in their last 20 games. They swept the Astros last week but dropped a series to the White Sox over the weekend.

Top prospect Taijuan Walker has looked solid in his first two starts of the year after battling shoulder problems for much of the first half, and he should only get better moving forward. Corey Hart also rejoined the team after missing 42 games with a hamstring injury and could give the offense a big spark.

The team's two superstars, Robinson Cano (.320/.381/.443, 6 HR, 51 RBI) and Felix Hernandez (10-2, 2.11 ERA, 145 K), will be its two All-Stars, and Hernandez may very well end up starting the game alongside Cano.

Silver Slugger of the Week

2B Robinson Cano (8-for-24, 3 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Felix Hernandez (1 GS, ND, 8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

8. Baltimore Orioles (48-40, Previous: 15)

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GAIL BURTON/Associated Press

Last Week's Results: 6-1

The Orioles have gone 13-6 in their last 19 games, and they took the lead in the AL East standings Saturday when they split a doubleheader with the Boston Red Sox.

The offensive struggles of Chris Davis and Manny Machado are a legitimate concern moving forward, but the unexpected production of Steve Pearce (.326/.381/.581, 10 HR, 30 RBI) has been huge for this team. He is a big reason why the O's designated Nolan Reimold for assignment when he came off the disabled list.

7. Detroit Tigers (48-37, Previous: 5)

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Last Week's Results: 4-3

The Tigers kicked off last week with a bang, sweeping the Oakland Athletics, the league's consensus top team. However, they followed that up by losing three of four to the Rays at home. They remain atop the AL Central standings, but the Royals and Indians are very much in striking distance.

Left fielder J.D. Martinez continues to be one of the biggest surprises of 2014, as he's hitting .323/.360/.640 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in just 164 at-bats.

A total of three Tigers found their way onto the All-Star roster, with Miguel Cabrera (.308/.367/.535, 14 HR, 68 RBI) earning the start at first base. Joining him are starter Max Scherzer (10-3, 3.47 ERA, 139 K) and DH Victor Martinez (.328/.391/.599, 21 HR, 55 RBI), with Rick Porcello (11-5, 3.53 ERA) in the running on the Final Vote ballot.

Silver Slugger of the Week

LF J.D. Martinez (9-for-25, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Max Scherzer (1 GS, W, 8 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)

6. Washington Nationals (48-39, Previous: 7)

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Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Last Week's Results: 5-1

Finally back at full strength, with Bryce Harper, Gio Gonzalez and Wilson Ramos all coming off the disabled list in the past few weeks, the Nationals have been playing very good baseball recently, going 13-6 in their last 19 games.

Unfortunately, the Atlanta Braves have been playing equally well over that stretch, going an identical 13-6, so the Nats have not been able to make any progress in the NL East standings. They take on the Orioles and Phillies this coming week, trailing the Braves by a half-game in the standings entering play Monday.

5. Atlanta Braves (49-39, Previous: 9)

The Braves had a nine-game winning streak snapped with a loss to the Diamondbacks Sunday, and they are once again alone atop the NL East standings.

They go on the road this coming week to face two of the worst teams in the NL in the Mets and the Cubs and will look to extend what is currently a half-game lead over the Nationals in the division.

First baseman Freddie Freeman (.294/.385/.501, 13 HR, 47 RBI) was narrowly edged out to start the All-Star Game at first base by Paul Goldschmidt, but he still earned a spot as a reserve. He's joined by Julio Teheran (8-5, 2.29 ERA) and closer Craig Kimbrel (27 of 31 SV, 2.04 ERA, 15.3 K/9) on the NL squad. There is still a chance for Justin Upton (.273/.349/.503, 17 HR, 50 RBI) as well, as he is part of the Final Vote ballot.

Silver Slugger of the Week

SS Andrelton Simmons (11-for-24, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 4 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Julio Teheran (1 GS, W, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K)

4. Milwaukee Brewers (52-37, Previous: 2)

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Al Behrman/Associated Press

Last Week's Results: 1-4

For the first time in a long time, the Brewers posted a losing week, dropping a quick two-game series to the Toronto Blue Jays and then losing two of three to the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. Their lead in the NL Central is now 4.5 games, with the red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates closing fast.

The Brewers don't have any major holes to fill at the deadline, though they could certainly use some position player depth on their bench and perhaps another veteran starter for insurance. Either way, they will have their hands full holding off the NL Central pack in the second half.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (51-40, Previous: 3)

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Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Last Week's Results: 4-3

Riding a nice 16-7 stretch that has seen them overtake the Giants for the NL West lead, the Dodgers have looked like the team they were hyped up to be over the last month or so. They move into the top spot among NL teams as a result.

Ace Clayton Kershaw is now riding a 36-inning scoreless streak and sits at 10-2 with a 1.85 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 87.1 innings after missing the first month of the season with a back injury. In case you missed it, Bleacher Report Lead Writer Zachary Rymer wrote a terrific piece comparing him to the best lefties of all time at the same age. It's definitely worth checking out.

Kershaw obviously earned a spot on the NL roster for the All-Star Game, and he will be joined by teammates Zack Greinke (11-4, 2.66 ERA), Dee Gordon (.302/.356/.416, 42 SB) and Yasiel Puig (.307/.393/.516, 12 HR, 50 RBI), who fans voted to start in the outfield.

Silver Slugger of the Week

2B Dee Gordon (10-for-26, 1 2B, 5 R, 2 SB)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Clayton Kershaw (1 GS, W, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

2. Los Angeles Angels (51-36, Previous: 4)

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Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Last Week's Results: 6-1

After back-to-back disappointing seasons saw them miss the playoffs entirely, the Angels have looked like one of the best teams in all of baseball here in 2014. Granted, they aren't even the best team in their division right now, but they currently have the second-best record in baseball.

The Angels picked up some much-needed bullpen help last week when they acquired left-hander Joe Thatcher from the Diamondbacks for outfield prospect Zach Borenstein and reliever Joey Krehbiel. The Angels also acquired speedy outfielder Tony Campana in the deal.

As for All-Star representation, outfielder Mike Trout (.308/.402/.603, 20 HR, 63 RBI, 10 SB) is the team's lone selection, as fans voted him in as a starter. Right-hander Garrett Richards (10-2, 2.71 ERA) still has a chance to join him as a Final Vote candidate.

Silver Slugger of the Week

1B Albert Pujols (10-for-29, 1 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R)

Top Pitcher of the Week

SP Garrett Richards (2 GS, 2 W, 15.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 20 K)

1. Oakland Athletics (55-33, Previous: 1)

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Last Week's Results: 4-3

The week started out poorly for the Athletics, as the Tigers swept them in Detroit. Things got substantially better from there, though, as they rebounded to sweep the Blue Jays in Toronto and added a pair of starting pitchers to the mix over the holiday weekend.

The team's top prospect and one of the most highly regarded prospects in all of baseball, Addison Russell, looked untouchable, but the A's opted to go all-in this year. They shipped Russell—along with another top prospect in outfielder Billy McKinney and 25-year-old starter Dan Straily—to the Cubs for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.

"We have a team that can win right now," general manager Billy Beane told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "Just collecting young players is not something in our marketplace we can do."

Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and cover games from Monday, June 30, through Sunday, July 6. All injury information via MLBDepthCharts team pages, per Baseball Prospectus.